CHEM 120 : Chemistry of the Material World

Science

2021 Semester One (1213) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

The chemistry of the elements and their compounds is explored. The relationship between molecular structure and reactivity, the role of energy, concepts of bond formation and chemical equilibrium are discussed. Issues such as sustainability, energy and fuels, and the creation of new materials are also discussed. It is recommended that students with a limited background in chemistry take CHEM 150 prior to CHEM 120.

Course Overview

Why take CHEM120:
Chemistry is considered a central science because it connects physical sciences with life sciences. CHEM120 focuses on the connection between chemistry and physical sciences. CHEM120 explores how chemistry helps create the world around us. The course discusses alternative energy sources, batteries, the carbon cycle, and more. In the laboratory, we explore organic light-emitting diodes, electrolysis, water quality, and so on.
CHEM120 also introduces students to scientific thought processes. This ranges from big picture thoughts (such as how chemists came up with the current scientific model of an atom) to skills-based thought processes (such as using thermodynamic tools to predict whether or not a reaction will take place).
Who CHEM120 is designed for:
This course aims to prepare students to confidently engage with chemists in their academic journeys and in their future careers. This course is good preparation for students in biological sciences, biotechnology, and food science. This course is essential for students in chemistry, green chemical sciences, and medicinal chemistry.
Where CHEM120 may lead to:
CHEM120 enables students to reflect on which areas of chemistry they find interesting. The topics covered in CHEM120 are presented more in-depth in Stage 2 courses in the School of Chemical Sciences. CHEM120 is a prerequisite for CHEM251 Structure and Spectroscopy, CHEM252 Properties and Analysis of Matter, and CHEM254 Modelling Chemical Processes. CHEM120 is an optional prerequisite for CHEM260 Introduction to Green Chemistry.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Science

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Predict the extent of physical or chemical processes at given temperatures and pressures using energetic principles. (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 6)
  2. Critically discuss models of atoms and bonding theories and their limitations. (Capability 1, 2 and 4)
  3. Identify and describe the chemical reactivity and physical properties of inorganic compounds using scientific vocabulary and chemical equations. (Capability 1, 2, 4 and 6)
  4. Collect and interpret experimental data and evaluate the dataset's validity. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Test 20% Individual Test
Final Exam 40% Individual Examination
Quizzes 10% Individual Coursework
Tutorials 10% Individual Coursework
Laboratories 20% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Test
Final Exam
Quizzes
Tutorials
Laboratories
A student must pass both the theory component and the practical component to gain an overall pass. The theory component is composed of the term test and final exam. The practical component is composed of the laboratory experiments.
 

Tuākana

For more information and to find contact details for the Chemistry Sciences Tuākana coordinator, please see https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/study-with-us/maori-and-pacific-at-the-faculty/tuakana-programme.html

Key Topics

Phases
Thermodynamics
Chemical equilibria
Atomic structure
Chemical bonding
Reactivity
Transition metals
Electrochemistry

Special Requirements

Attendance at laboratories is regarded as a compulsory part of this course. Wearing of a laboratory coat, covered footwear and suitable eye protection (e.g. safety glasses) is compulsory at all times when present in the laboratory. If a student does not wear adequate eye protection, appropriate footwear or a laboratory coat at all times, the student will be asked to leave the laboratory and will receive a fail for that laboratory.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard [15] point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, on Even Weeks, you should complete the following:  

  • 3 hours of lecture 
  • 1 hour of tutorial
  • 0.75 hour for a weekly quiz
  • 1.25 hours of reading and thinking about the content
  • 1 hour for laboratory preparation (reading lab intro and reviewing relevant coursework)
  • 3 hours for experiments

For this course on Odd Weeks, you should complete the following:

  • 3 hours of lecture 
  • 1 hour of tutorial
  • 0.75 hour for a weekly quiz
  • 5.25 hours of reading and thinking about the content

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including labs and tutorials to complete and receive credit for components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials and labs will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events.
Attendance on campus is required for the test and exam.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Required course book and laboratory manual
Textbook is recommended

Student Feedback

During the course Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the staff responsible for the course and staff-student consultative committees.

At the end of the course students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback.

Your feedback helps to improve the course and its delivery for all students.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Copyright

The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.

You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Level 1: Delivered normally as specified in delivery mode
Level 2: You will not be required to attend in person. All teaching and assessment will have a remote option. The following activities will also have an on-campus/in-person option: Lectures, labs, and tutorials.
Level 3 / 4: All teaching activities and assessments are delivered remotely.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 22/02/2021 12:04 a.m.